BBC Breakfast hosts Ben Thompson and Naga Munchetty interrupted the programme to deliver breaking news about the Kent meningitis outbreak.
Ben Thompson and Naga Munchetty hosted BBC Breakfast today (Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast was interrupted just minutes before it ended on Saturday morning, with presenters Ben Thompson and Naga Munchetty delivering breaking news about the meningitis outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that confirmed or suspected cases of the infection in Kent have climbed from 29 to 34.
This figure comprises 23 laboratory-confirmed cases, with a further 11 notifications still being examined.
Queues of hundreds have formed at vaccination centres across the county, with a fifth site now operational.
Since Wednesday, when the vaccination programme launched in response to the Kent outbreak – which has tragically claimed two young lives – 4,500 people have received jabs, reports the Mirror.
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During the programme today, the presenters paused between unrelated items to share the latest developments with audiences.
Naga addressed viewers: “We’ve just got some news to bring you,” as a ‘Breaking’ banner aired on screens.
She continued: “Of course, the UK health security agency gives an update on the number of meningitis cases, particularly after this outbreak in Kent.
“Just to inform you that the number of cases linked to meningitis, linked to that outbreak, has risen to 34, and that was up from 29 previously.
“We’ll be covering this thoroughly throughout the day on the BBC News channel and online.”
The presenters then moved on with the programme, while earlier in the show they paid tribute to broadcasting legend, Dame Jenni Murray, who died at the age of 75.
The former BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour host held her role for more than three decades, joining the show in 1987 and leaving in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter.
“Our reporter Tim Muffett has been looking at her life,” Naga shared on BBC Breakfast, before a pre-recorded segment began with Dame Jenni’s own voice, wishing radio listeners a good morning.
She was described as “a broadcasting icon, an incisive, fearless interviewer,” with the reporter continuing by paying tribute: “Dame Jenni Murray formed a strong bond with listeners, and was never scared of asking the questions others might avoid.”
The end of the clip heard Dame Jenni sign off from her final Woman’s Hour show, saying: “It’s goodbye from me, thank you all for listening.”
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
